2023 third-quarter report cards for all 32 NFL teams
Turning toward the finish
The last quarter of the 2023 NFL season kicks off on Thursday, with an AFC West battle of two underperforming teams in Vegas. It follows a wild ending to the third quarter, with the Titans and Giants both pulling off upsets. In a year filled with QB injuries and unknowns, it’s a very fitting scenario. It’s also the perfect time to take a look at each NFL team and hand out some updated grades…
Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals are a better team with Kyler Murray, and that likely will take them out of play for Caleb Williams. At this point, they might be better off with Murray than Williams, who will take time to develop. Right? Grade: C-
Atlanta Falcons
Like everyone else in the NFC South, the Falcons are mediocre, bordering on boring and awful. Grade: D+
Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens are a threat to go on a deep run in the playoffs. They finally got Lamar Jackson some receivers, making the offense dangerous. And of course, the defense is solid. Grade: A
Buffalo Bills
The Bills are disappointing. So much was expected and they have played mediocre football. And now, their coach Sean McDermott seems to be living in the theatre of the absurd. One thing is for sure: The Jets or Giants won’t be hiring him if he exits Buffalo after his 9/11 comments in 2019. Grade: C-
Carolina Panthers
Unsure if an explanation is really needed at this point in the season. Grade: F
Chicago Bears
The Bears aren’t good, yet they almost swept the Lions. They are fortunate to have made the trade with the Panthers, so they will likely wind up with the top pick in the 2024 NFL draft. Will they keep it? Draft a QB and move on from Justin Fields? Or just find a way to botch it? Grade: D+
Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals are without Joe Burrow and still linger on the periphery of wild card contention. Jake Browning’s last two games were remarkable. They aren’t a threat to go as far as people expected, but they aren’t as awful as some feared after Burrow was lost. Grade: C+
Cleveland Browns
Great defense. Horrendous quarterback situation… until Joe Flacco somehow found his mojo again. The Browns made a terrible decision in giving Deshaun Watson that exorbitant contract. They have gotten nothing out of the controversial QB. Grade: B
Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys are riding high — at home. That would be 15 wins in a row. But Dallas needs to show it is as tough on the road, because even with the impressive win over Philly, there is no guarantee an NFC playoff road will go through AT&T Stadium. Grade: B+
Denver Broncos
Things turned around in Denver in a big way. He won’t get Coach of the Year, but after the way the season started, Sean Payton deserves a nod. Russell Wilson is revived, and so is hope the Broncos can hang around as a wild card contender. Grade: B
Detroit Lions
The Lions are feeling shaky. As in real shaky. They lost to the Packers on Thanksgiving. They lost to the Bears in Week 14. They could have lost to the Bears in their first meeting. Something isn’t working. Grade: C+
Green Bay Packers
The Packers stumbled at MetLife in a game they could have won against the Giants. Still, a road loss should not knock down all the good the team has done in turning its season around. Grade: C+
Houston Texans
Probably the most fascinating team in the league. No one expected the Texans to win as many games as they have over an entire season, let alone three-quarters of it. C.J. Stroud is an absolute gem. Grade: B+
Indianapolis Colts
The Colts are in the mix in the AFC South. They have done a nice job with Gardner Minshew at QB, Week 14 notwithstanding. Indy isn’t a threat to win a wild card game if it makes the postseason, but just getting there would be a huge accomplishment. Grade: B
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jags’ quarterback has a high ankle sprain, but guts it out in Week 14 … and the coach decides to have him attempt 50 passes? Not a good plan for Doug Pederson. The Jaguars are still in first place but they could have more breathing room. Two losses in a row against AFC North teams hurt. Grade: B-
Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs feel vulnerable. They lead the AFC West by a game over the Broncos — yes, the Broncos — and saw a great play doused by Kadarius Toney’s brutal error. It is tough to repeat and the Chiefs are learning that, again. Grade: B-
Las Vegas Raiders
Another coaching change within a franchise that specializes in taking tickets on the carousel. Is Antonio Pierce going to be the long-term answer? Jimmy Garoppolo was supposed to be the answer at QB, and now, he backs up Aidan O’Connell. Just a mess in Sin City. Grade: D-
Los Angeles Chargers
At some point, there are no more excuses, and the script about how talented this team is should be retired. The Chargers are what they are: less than ordinary. And now, Justin Herbert has a fractured finger on his throwing hand to go with his injured left hand. Grade: D-
Los Angeles Rams
Tough way for the Rams to close out the quarter. They had their chances against the Ravens and could have — should have? — been over .500. However, it wasn’t to be and now the last four games are pretty much must-win, or at least three of them. Grade: C+
Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins are bullies and got bullied in the final game of Week 14. How can they blow a 14-point lead at home against the Tennessee Titans? Tack that on to losses to the three actual contenders they played previously. One has to wonder if they rely too much on Tyreek Hill. It sure felt that way on Monday night. Grade: B-
Minnesota Vikings
OK, so they are 7-6 with Joshua Dobbs and whoever else at QB. They won a game 3-0. The Vikings deserve credit for their record after an awful start. It doesn’t bode well in the long run, though, even with the Lions coming back to the Pack. Grade: B-
New England Patriots
Just a sad shell of what they once were … with Tom Brady. A high draft pick piques curiosity. And remember, they scored 21 in the first half against the Steelers and the offense went back to sleep. Grade: D-
New Orleans Saints
Another of the ordinary teams in the NFC South. Can’t wait to hear the incessant chants about how this division has put another sub-.500 champion in the playoffs. Get ready; they are coming. Grade: C-
New York Giants
Hard to imagine what Tommy DeVito has done in the last three games for the Giants. You couldn’t sell a movie or TV script with this storyline. No one would believe it. Yet, it happened: Tommy Cutlets has led Big Blue to three wins in a row, including a wonderful comeback on national TV. Grade: C
New York Jets
The quarterback situation has been a catastrophe since the fourth offensive play of the season (Zach Wilson’s effort against the Texans aside). Do not be surprised if the team moves on from Robert Saleh. He will have had three seasons to improve the Jets and prove himself, and has yet to do it. Grade: D+
Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles have hit speed bumps and hit them hard. A team that looked unbeatable is giving up a ton of points and suddenly isn’t as fearsome as it once was. Philly can still win the NFC East if it wins out, though, so not all is lost. Grade: B-
Pittsburgh Steelers
Mitchell Trubisky will go down as one of the worst high QB draft picks in NFL history. The Steelers have lost Kenny Pickett and now have lost to teams with 2-10 records within four days. Who would you rather have as a coach of another team, Bill Belichick or Mike Tomlin? The vote here is Tomlin. The Steelers must not overreact and keep this great coach on their sidelines. Grade: C-
San Francisco 49ers
The three-game losing streak is forgotten. Brock Purdy may be the MVP favorite but that’s warped. He’s the third- or fourth-best player on the offense. Welcome to the world of instant gratification and reaction. Grade: A+
Seattle Seahawks
A four-game losing streak… then, Geno Smith was injured and Drew Lock had to play against the Niners. What was once so promising is now looking like despair in the Great Northwest. Grade: C-
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Another of the mediocre crew in the NFC South. Sorry for being redundant but there isn’t much else to say about this division. Grade: C-
Tennessee Titans
One game does not make a season and the win in Miami was as unlikely as anyone could believe. This team had not won on the road, yet came back from flubs and 14 points down to shock the Fish. One can’t lose sight of all the bad this season just because of a night of highlights, though. Grade: C-
Washington Commanders
New ownership was supposed to bring better times to Washington. Instead, the team is in shambles. Ron Rivera has to be at the end of management’s fuse. Grade: F
